For a nightclub facing the loss of its licence because of the rowdy behaviour of its patrons, it is perhaps not the best publicity. Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie were photographed looking dishevelled as they left Public in Chelsea with conspicuous drinks stains on their clothes.

As he made his way at 2.30am to a car waiting outside the nightspot co-owned by his friend Guy Pelly, the 26-year-old Prince was almost unrecognisable from his elegant appearance as best man at his brother Prince William’s royal wedding.

Accompanied by four protection officers, his blue shirt was stained down one of his sleeves. The mini-dress worn by his 21-year-old cousin, who had two bodyguards, was also splattered by drink.

Howard Spooner, Public’s co-owner, announced this month that it would appeal against a licensing panel’s decision to reduce its opening hours after complaints from neighbours about lewd behaviour in the street.

The nightspot, which opened in December, will be required to close at midnight and have its customers off the premises by 12.30am.

Mark Daley, a former councillor, told the hearing at Kensington Town Hall in London: “I have had complaints that people were doing some very unpleasant things including having sex, vomiting, urinating and defecating.”